Simulating Dynamic Dependencies And Blockages In In-Plant Milk-Run Traffic Systems

To provide efficient and flexible material transport, inplant milk-run systems are used by many companies. However, the large number of influencing factors makes in-plant milk-run systems complex, while dependencies and blockages, e.g. overtaking or stopping, require a dynamic approach to examination. Thus we developed a generic simulation model focusing on traffic situations in in-plant road systems, and defined meaningful performance figures, e.g. capacity efficiency and cycle time. The application to a system of industrial practice enabled us to derive recommendations for planning inplant milk-run systems. Space for overtaking, the number of trains passing or supplying a stop as well as the directions a stop is approached from were found to be main influencing factors.